On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) arrested 35-year-old Alex D. Leatherman of Sterling, IL, on one count of Possession of Child Pornography (Class 2 Felony), and one count of Disseminating Child Pornography (Class X Felony).
On March 21, 2023, DCI Zone 2 Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was investigating a case of child pornography after receiving a Cybertip from Twitter. DCI Zone 2 agents contacted Leatherman by phone, and he agreed to meet at ISP Troop 1 Headquarters in Sterling for a consensual interview. Evidence gathered from Leatherman’s phone and his confession of possessing and disseminating child pornography during the interview led to the arrest of Leatherman for the above charges.
Leatherman was transported to the Whiteside County Jail where he is awaiting a bond hearing. The investigation remains open and on-going.
